Construction
Construction started on August 4th and is expected to be substantially complete in the Fall of 2025. Minor work to finalize the project may be completed in the spring of 2026.
During most of the project, Tower Avenue will be reduced to a single lane in each direction. For everyone’s safety, please drive with caution through the work zone, slow down, and follow all posted traffic control signs.
Regular construction updates will be posted on this page to keep the public informed on the project’s progress.
NEW! Construction Update - October 24, 2025
Southbound traffic on Tower Avenue has been shifted to the inside lane so crews can begin pavement repairs in the outer lane. In addition, crews are constructing curb bump-outs at several intersections to improve pedestrian crossings and better accommodate bus stops. Landscaping in the center medians is nearly complete, with crews expected to finish planting and mulching in the coming days.
In the next few weeks, temporary intersection restrictions may be needed to provide crews access to all pavement areas requiring repair. Once work in the center medians is complete, northbound traffic will also shift to the inside lane. Please check this website regularly for the latest information on traffic changes.
To accommodate bump-out and curb work, bus stops at North 16th Street have been temporarily relocated to North 17th Street. For more information on bus stop changes, visit the Duluth Transit Authority website.
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we complete these exciting improvements.
Past Construction Updates
October 17, 2025
With the installation of decorative red concrete now complete, crews have begun placing planting soil and landscaping in the center medians. This marks another visible milestone in the corridor’s transformation.
The southbound traffic shift, originally planned for October 15, has been rescheduled to October 21 to allow additional time for pavement repairs. On that date, southbound traffic will move from the outside lane to the inside lane. Northbound traffic will remain in the outside lane until median landscaping is finished.
As part of this shift, DTA bus stops on the southbound side of Tower Avenue will operate as “in-lane” stops rather than pull-off stops. In addition, the bus stop at North 16th Street will be temporarily relocated to North 17th Street. For more information on these temporary changes, please visit duluthtransit.com.
Drivers are reminded to travel with caution and follow all posted traffic control signs as everyone adjusts to the new traffic patterns along Tower Avenue.
October 10, 2025
Crews have recently completed placement of the decorative concrete in the center medians, marking another major milestone for the Tower Avenue project. With the median curbs and aprons now fully constructed, crews are preparing to place landscaping soil, followed by the planting of trees and shrubs.
Beginning October 15, southbound traffic on Tower Avenue will shift from the outside lane to the inside lane to allow pavement repairs on the outer lane. Northbound traffic will remain in the outside lane for a few more weeks. During this time, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction to maintain access throughout the corridor.
Thank you for your continued patience and commitment to safety as we move forward with this important infrastructure improvement.
October 3, 2025
Progress on the Tower Avenue project is visible. Crews are nearing completion of decorative concrete placement in the center medians, marking a key milestone. Next, they will begin placing soil for landscaping, advancing the next phase of median work.
Upcoming Traffic Changes
Beginning as early as next week, southbound traffic on Tower Avenue will shift from the outside lane to the inside lane to allow construction on the outside lane. Northbound traffic is expected to shift to the outside lane later this month. Throughout these adjustments, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction to maintain access through the corridor.
Intersection Update
Traffic movement restrictions at North 16th Street remain in place as crews continue building the median island within the intersection. Once complete, the intersection will reopen in its permanent configuration. All turning movements from Tower Avenue will be restored, while traffic approaching from North 16th Street will be right-turn only.
Safety Reminder
As traffic shifts are implemented, please drive cautiously through the work zone and follow all posted traffic control signs and devices to help keep workers and drivers safe. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as progress moves forward on this exciting project.
September 26, 2025
This week, crews focused on replacing distressed concrete pavement in the inside lanes of Tower Avenue. In addition, decorative colored concrete is being placed in the new center medians, bringing added visual appeal to the corridor. Median concrete work is expected to continue into next week.
Traffic movement restrictions remain in place at the intersection of North 16th Street to allow crews to safely complete concrete placement in the median. This intersection will reopen in its new permanent configuration in the coming weeks.
September 23, 2025
Work continues along Tower Avenue, with crews aiming to finish placing all new median curb and gutter by the end of this week. Once the curbs are complete, the project will move into its next phase: installing decorative concrete and landscaping in the medians.
Intersection Updates:
North 18th Street, North 21st Street, and North 26th Street: Traffic restrictions have been lifted, and all turning movements are now open.
North 16th Street: Turning restrictions remain in place while crews continue median construction within the intersection. Left turns from Tower Avenue onto North 16th Street are still not allowed, and drivers coming from North 16th Street must turn right onto Tower Avenue.
September 13, 2025
New concrete pavement continues to be poured at several locations along Tower Avenue, including multiple intersections throughout the corridor. Progress is also visible in the center medians, where crews are actively pouring concrete.
While all current traffic control and intersection restrictions are expected to remain in place while the newly poured concrete cures, these restrictions will be lifted as soon as the pavement has hardened enough to safely support traffic. The intersections at North 18th Street, North 21st Street, and North 26th Street are expected to be fully reopened sometime next week.
September 8, 2025
Construction of the new medians along Tower Avenue is in full swing. Crews will continue pouring concrete next week as progress advances. In addition, concrete pavement repairs are scheduled at several intersections throughout the corridor.
Intersection Updates:
North 28th Street: Work at this intersection is complete, and it is fully open to traffic in all directions.
North 16th Street: The traffic change implemented last week remains in effect as crews continue replacing pavement and constructing a new median island. Left turns from Tower Avenue onto North 16th Street are not permitted, and vehicles approaching Tower Avenue from North 16th Street must turn right.
North 18th Street & North 26th Street: Beginning Tuesday, September 9, a temporary traffic change will allow crews access to the center of the intersection for pavement work. Left turns from Tower Avenue onto these streets will be restricted, and vehicles approaching from North 18th Street and North 26th Street may only turn right onto Tower Avenue. This change is expected to last a few days but will be repeated later when crews return to pour new concrete.
North 21st Street: Also starting Tuesday, September 9, a traffic control change will be implemented at this signalized intersection for pavement replacement and median construction. Left turns from Tower Avenue onto North 21st Street will be restricted, and vehicles approaching from North 21st Street may only turn right onto Tower Avenue. The traffic signal will be set to a steady state, with Tower Avenue showing a constant green light and North 21st Street a constant red light. Drivers on North 21st Street should be prepared to turn right on red. This closure is expected to last several days to allow the new concrete to cure before reopening.
August 29, 2025
Crews are making steady progress on the Tower Avenue project. Fresh concrete is being poured in several locations as part of the ongoing pavement replacement. Next week, crews will begin pouring concrete for the new medians — a big milestone in transforming the corridor.
At North 28th Street, the temporary traffic changes will be removed before Labor Day weekend. Once lifted, drivers will again be able to make all turns at the intersection.
This week, a new traffic change went into effect at North 16th Street to give crews room to work. Vehicles coming from North 16th must now turn right onto Tower Avenue, and drivers on Tower Avenue cannot turn left onto North 16th.
As work continues, similar traffic restrictions are expected soon at North 18th, 21st, and 26th Streets. We’ll share details here before each change takes effect, so please check back often for the latest updates.
August 22, 2025
Work on the project continues to move forward. The removal of worn-out pavement and replacement with new concrete is still in progress. Crews will continue pouring new concrete in the designated repair areas next week.
The traffic control changes at Tower Avenue and North 28th Street, that were implemented last week, remain in place. The intersection will reopen to all traffic once the new pavement has gained enough strength to safely support vehicles.
In the coming weeks, similar intersection restrictions will be required at North 16th, North 18th, North 21st, and North 26th Streets. Details for each intersection will be shared here in advance of the changes.
August 15, 2025
Pavement sawing for this phase is nearly complete, and pavement removals are still underway. These removals will continue over the next several days as crews prepare to replace the removed sections of street with new pavement.
Concrete installation in the designated pavement repair areas is expected to begin soon and will follow closely behind the removal operations. This step marks a significant milestone in the project’s progress. Please use caution when driving through the corridor and avoid entering active work zones. Doing so helps protect both travelers and the integrity of freshly poured concrete.
A traffic control modification will begin on August 19 at the intersection of Tower Avenue and North 28th Street. In addition to the inside thru lane closure, southbound traffic on Tower Avenue will not be able to make a left turn onto North 28th Street. All other movements at this signalized intersection will remain open. This change is expected to remain in place until August 25.
As crews move between different areas of the corridor, travelers should expect temporary restrictions to left turn lanes at other non-signalized intersections along Tower Avenue. These temporary adjustments are necessary to maintain safe and efficient access to active work zones. One thru lane will remain open in each direction throughout this phase of work.
August 8, 2025
Work is progressing on schedule as the contractor begins removing sections of existing concrete pavement and center islands. The traffic is shifted to the outside lanes so they can rebuild the inside lanes and medians. The removal process involves cutting the concrete, excavating the old concrete, and hauling it away. Installation of new pavement and medians will begin in the coming weeks.
We kindly remind all travelers to observe posted work zone traffic control signs and avoid entering the construction areas. This is essential not only for the safety of the crews on site but also to keep your vehicle away from drop offs, debris, and freshly placed concrete.
August 1, 2025
Construction traffic control devices are expected to be in place starting on August 4. The first phase of the project will involve closing the inside lanes on Tower Avenue for the full length of the project. This closure will allow the contractor to safely begin removing pavement sections that will later be replaced with new pavement and landscaped medians.
The outside lanes (one thru lane each direction) will remain open throughout this construction phase. The contractor plans to keep the left turn lanes on Tower Avenue open, but they may require periodic adjustments to ensure safe access to work areas. Parking lanes along Tower Avenue will also remain open during this phase.